Adalberto Alvarez “El Caballero Del Son” RIP

Prolific Cuban Composer, Producer, Bandleader and vocalist Adalberto Alvarez who was nicknamed “El Caballero Del Son” (pictured left) died last Wednesday, Sept. 1st due to pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. He was 72. Alvarez was a major figure in Cuban popular music long before Timba began in the late 1980’s-early 1990’s. He wrote a body of work which included huge hits for his own groups “Son 14” and “Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son“. He also wrote countless compositions for such artists as Rumbavana and Gilberto Santa Rosa, both inside and outside of Cuba.

Alvarez was responsible for maintaining the tradition of the Son as well as modernizing the Son to a whole new generation of Cuban music listeners and dancers by including timba, rap and elements of hip hop in the composition of his songs. He was able to maintain his status as one of the most popular acts in Cuba by discovering, nurturing and collaborating with some of the hottest young talents in the scene. Alvarez also kept his band creating and performing at a very high level. I had the honor of deejaying one of his appearances at a popular San Francisco venue, Slims in the late 1990’s during one of his US tours. During that performance, I witnessed the sheer power, showmanship and virtuosity of his tight band with lead vocalist of that time, Aramis Galindo.

Alvarez’s reputation as a bandleader and musician with Son 14 propelled that band into their stature a legendary orquesta featuring “Tiburon” Morales, another iconic figure in the Cuban scene. Alvarez was honored for his 35 years in show business with an amazing concert “Son Para Un Sonero” which took place in 2019 featuring an incredible array of stars which featured Mandy Cantero, Roberton and Lele of Los Van Van, Emilio Frias “El Niño”, Jose Luis Cortes “El Tosco” of NG La Banda, Pancho Amat, Tania Pantoja, Rojitas, and many others paying tribute to Alvarez. This phenomenal concert is available for viewing on You Tube.

Alvarez has an extensive discography that is well worth exploring. Alvarez is known to international audiences for such hits as “Lluvia (Agua Que Cae Del Cielo)“, “El Son De La Madrugada“(covered by Gilberto Santa Rosa)” and “Para Bayamo En Coche“. He will be missed.

RIP “El Caballero Del Son”!!!